Renault opens Melbourne mega-warehouse

The shared parts and accessories warehouse is a first for Alliance member companies and is designed to maximise productivity, efficiency and accuracy in order fulfilment, allowing companies to enhance service to their national dealership networks.

The facility will become the new master warehouse for Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors’ national distribution network and will also service the INFINITI brand, which falls under the Alliance.

Based in the Melbourne suburb of Truganina, the purpose-built facility is strategically located between Melbourne’s sea container terminal and the airport. The facility has direct access to all interstate roads, is over 37,000 square metres in size, and is part of a CEVA super site that is the largest logistics facility in the southern hemisphere.

“Today’s opening is a significant milestone for the Alliance,” said Kent O’Hara, global senior vice president of aftersales for the Alliance.

“This shared facility is another example of how the Alliance continues to generate synergies to the benefit of our companies, customers and shareholders at a global level.”

Housing more than 90,000 different parts, the Alliance National Distribution Centre manages 11 inbound sea containers daily, as well as airfreight and other local shipments. It brings in 2,500 parts each day, while eight B-double transporters – as part of a same day service – deliver 8,500 parts direct to dealerships.

Operating 24 hours a day and transporting parts across the entire country, the warehouse has space for approximately 100,000 parts and accessories. It also includes a 677 sqm wet room with space for 700 pallets, and employs over 90 staff.

One of the first six star Green Star built and accredited buildings in Australia, it has a roof-mounted solar system to provide renewable energy, high bay LED lighting with daylight and motion sensors, early suppression fast response sprinkler systems and a rainwater system for bathroom and garden irrigation.

It also incorporates technologies and processes for the fast and efficient movement of automotive parts and accessories. These include a dedicated area for the storage of hazardous liquids such as oils, transmission and brake fluids, and the 10 container docks allow for high volume inbound and outbound shipments.